6 Signs YOU NEED to replace your brake pads
Brake pads are major parts of your vehicle's braking system and must be kept in good working order for safety as well as performance reasons. Brake pads should be replaced every 40,000 to 50,000 miles, (depending on driving conditions and your car's manufacturer's recommendations). Brake pads that are getting worn often give you plenty of clues replacement time is coming. To make it even easier to know, here are 6 common signs it's time to replace your brake pads.
1. Squeaking or squealing
This is the often the first symptom you'll likely notice if your brake pads are getting worn. If you do not pay attention to this sign, once your brake pads are worn enough, you may start to experience a grinding noise, which means you may now be starting to damage the rotors. Replacing worn brake pads is definitely less expensive and time consuming than replacing pads and rotors.
2. Grinding Sound When Braking
If you are experiencing a grinding noise while you're applying pressure to the brake pedal, your brake pads need to be replaced immediately. The best thing to do is to schedule an appointment for a brake inspection for your car, and our technicians will inspect your brakes and let you know what repairs are needed and/or recommended, including brake pads, rotors, wheel bearings, etc.
3. Vibration When Braking
Vibration when you apply the brakes is another sign that your vehicle's braking system is in need of professional help. Chances are that your rotors are warped and created uneven brake pad wear at the same time.
4. Taking Longer To Stop
If you are experiencing less than ideal stoppage times while applying your brakes, it may mean your brake pads are worn down completely or that your brake fluid is low (often times due to a leak). For a true understanding of what's going on with your brakes, you'll want to schedule an inspection immediately to avoid further damage or loss of stopping ability when driving.
5. Brake Pad Indicator Light Comes On
Most modern vehicles come with brake warning lights that appear on your dash. One is your Antilock Braking System (ABS) light and the other is your brake system warning light. Your brake light won't always come on when there is an issue — it's also the light that appears on your dash when your parking brake is engaged. But if you're seeing a brake warning light and your parking brake isn't engaged, it's time to have a brake expert take a look at your system to diagnose your issues.
6. Your Brake Pads Appear To Be Thin
One way to easily check on your brake pads is to visually inspect them for wear. To do this, look between the spokes of your wheels and locate your brake pad. If it appears to be less than a ¼ inch thick, you're probably due for a set of new brake pads.
Experiencing Brake Issues?
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, we recommend scheduling an appointment with Precision Auto Repair. We will complete a vehicle inspection, and make recommendations as what repairs are needed right now, what items will need attention in the future, and what systems in your car are ready to go. This report card for your car will be emailed or texted to you, and you will then be able to monitor the health of your car now and in the future.
1. Squeaking or squealing
This is the often the first symptom you'll likely notice if your brake pads are getting worn. If you do not pay attention to this sign, once your brake pads are worn enough, you may start to experience a grinding noise, which means you may now be starting to damage the rotors. Replacing worn brake pads is definitely less expensive and time consuming than replacing pads and rotors.
2. Grinding Sound When Braking
If you are experiencing a grinding noise while you're applying pressure to the brake pedal, your brake pads need to be replaced immediately. The best thing to do is to schedule an appointment for a brake inspection for your car, and our technicians will inspect your brakes and let you know what repairs are needed and/or recommended, including brake pads, rotors, wheel bearings, etc.
3. Vibration When Braking
Vibration when you apply the brakes is another sign that your vehicle's braking system is in need of professional help. Chances are that your rotors are warped and created uneven brake pad wear at the same time.
4. Taking Longer To Stop
If you are experiencing less than ideal stoppage times while applying your brakes, it may mean your brake pads are worn down completely or that your brake fluid is low (often times due to a leak). For a true understanding of what's going on with your brakes, you'll want to schedule an inspection immediately to avoid further damage or loss of stopping ability when driving.
5. Brake Pad Indicator Light Comes On
Most modern vehicles come with brake warning lights that appear on your dash. One is your Antilock Braking System (ABS) light and the other is your brake system warning light. Your brake light won't always come on when there is an issue — it's also the light that appears on your dash when your parking brake is engaged. But if you're seeing a brake warning light and your parking brake isn't engaged, it's time to have a brake expert take a look at your system to diagnose your issues.
6. Your Brake Pads Appear To Be Thin
One way to easily check on your brake pads is to visually inspect them for wear. To do this, look between the spokes of your wheels and locate your brake pad. If it appears to be less than a ¼ inch thick, you're probably due for a set of new brake pads.
Experiencing Brake Issues?
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, we recommend scheduling an appointment with Precision Auto Repair. We will complete a vehicle inspection, and make recommendations as what repairs are needed right now, what items will need attention in the future, and what systems in your car are ready to go. This report card for your car will be emailed or texted to you, and you will then be able to monitor the health of your car now and in the future.